GreenMark Public Relations®, Inc.

Respected Journalist, Philanthropist and Rancher Shares Vision for Greening ChicagoHe has been in the trenches of America’s biggest news stories and feels at home on the cattle-grazing grasslands of Kansas. Now, legendary newsman Bill Kurtis is working with Chicago Gateway Green to increase the tree canopy and create blankets of gardens across Chicago.

Kurtis is serving as spokesperson for Chicago Gateway Green, a non-profit organization dedicated to greening and beautifying the city by planting trees and gardens along its expressways, gateways, and neighborhoods. The organization marks its 25th anniversary in 2011 and is working towards a goal of planting 15,000 trees throughout Chicago by 2015.

In addition to ensuring the legacy of trees and gardens throughout Chicago by participating various fundraising initiatives and special events, Kurtis will support tree plantings with volunteers and key partners, ranging from United Airlines to the Chicago Blackhawks. Other upcoming events include the annual Green Tie Ball, held in the fall, and Gaming for Green, on Aug. 5. Through these and other efforts, Chicago Gateway Green is helping meet the goals of Mayor Daley’s Chicago Climate Action Plan, aimed at doubling Chicago’s tree canopy by 2040 and creating a greener, healthier and more vibrant city.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bill on board,” says Gerald J. Roper, chairman, Chicago Gateway Green. “To have this fantastic role model of integrity and sustainability kindly agree to serve as the face of Chicago Gateway Green will truly make a difference as we work together to make Chicago an even more beautiful place to live and visit.”

Kurtis is especially familiar with the importance of thinking globally and acting locally, Roper says, through his own Tallgrass Beef Company (www.tallgrassbeef.com), service to countless green causes and events, and his Emmy Award-winning work as a one of the country’s most respected journalists.

“It’s great to have the support of a man who is as deeply rooted in Chicago and who shares Chicago Gateway Green’s long-held vision of the vital beauty and greenness of trees and gardens all over our city. We are especially excited to have his support to reach our goal of 15,000 trees by 2015,” says Claire Woolley, recently named executive director of Chicago Gateway Green.

For more information, contact Chicago Gateway Green at 312-540-9930 or visit www.gatewaygreen.org.

WGN aired a “Green Holidays” segment on 12/03/07 that gave tips for celebrating the holiday season in earth-friendly ways. A few of the ideas:
- Wrap presents in newspaper or gift bags
- Use natural materials and live plants for indoor decorations
- String LED lights on the tree

We love that some Chicago-area residents are doing their part during one of the most wasteful times of year. What will you be doing to stay green this holiday season?

Click here to see the full video segment

GreenMark Public Relations read the Chicago Sun Times article “Environmentally-friendly boxing event a part of Olympic pitch” with great interest. The green efforts associated with the Chicago-hosted AIBA World Boxing Championships could help make the case for a local “sensitivity to the environment — one of the check-offs for cities competing to host Olympic Games”.

To counter he estimated 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide produced by the AIBA World Boxing Championships, the Deerfield-based health care company Baxter “donated carbon credits, valued at about $2 to $3 per ton”. Boxing fans who took public transportation to the events also received a discount on admission. Click here to read the full article.